Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MLA

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Landscape Architecture

Committee Chair

Stefania Staniscia

Committee Co-Chair

Hodjat Ghadimi

Committee Member

Hodjat Ghadimi

Committee Member

Michael Strager

Abstract

During the rainy season, Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, faces tremendous rainfall which is annually 1600mm-2000 mm and it is increasing at a rate of 55.90 mm/year. So, in monsoon, some areas of this city suffer from water logging which continues from 3 hours up to two feet to more than one day. It increases the hazards for everyday life for the city dwellers, especially in the transportation and working sectors of the city which follows other socio-economic, health and environmental problem.

Dhaka is one of the most populous cities in the world. This area is almost flat and close to sea level. So, Dhaka is susceptible to flood during monsoon. Historically Dhaka has a network of natural canals which was connected to big rivers to serve as a natural drainage system for the rain runoff. These canals served as a good means of transportation also. Gradually, in the course of time this natural drainage system has been almost destroyed.

Due to overpopulation, the increasing demand for land and unplanned rapid urbanization causes the destruction and discontinuation of water channels. As a result, waterlogging occurs during the rainy season in various part of the city. Demolition of these water channels and depressions not only affects the natural process of land formation but also alter the ecosystem.

This study aims to develop a process to reintroduce a previous waterway in Dhaka city as a possible solution of waterlogging. So, at first, changes in wetlands and water bodies are analyzed through studying the geo-morphological history of Dhaka and ArcGIS analysis to find out the potential water bodies which are needed to be revived or developed further. Hydrological analysis in ArcMap has been done here to show the water flow direction which is derived from the DEM (digital elevation model) of Dhaka city. Then, one disconnecting point is chosen to develop a process for introducing waterway as a possible solution of waterlogging which will also serve as a transportation system.

The study only provides a generic idea to verify an idea to resolve the issue of urban waterlogging. The most positive aspect of this proposal is to protect the urban water bodies and convert those as a mean of the transportation system. Without protecting the wetlands and water bodies the drainage system of Dhaka will collapse and inundation will increase. If the method works then, it will be a key factor to make other dead water lines alive for Dhaka City.

Download

Share

COinS